Back-to-school shopping for grandkids made easier with online retailers

The smile is still on your face as you remember the Skype call with your grandkids and their excited chatter about teachers, classrooms and making new friends. Going back to school is an exciting time for them, and helping to outfit your favorite little people for the new school year can be an easy way for you to take part in their enthusiasm as well. Whether you’re purchasing a sports team sweatshirt for your favorite sports fan or a new set of colored pencils for the artist in the family, it can all be done from the ease and comfort of your own home thanks to online shopping.

Looking for the perfect gift for a loved one online has plenty of advantages; here are four perks:

1. Avoid the crowds.

For starters, no more enduring crowded stores or long lines during the busy back-to-school season. Not to mention online shopping eliminates having to open heavy doors, reach for items on the top or bottom shelf or lug heavy or bulky bags to your car. Wouldn’t it be convenient to open your door and find your purchase right there on your doorstep?

2. Save time.

Plus, you can eliminate travel time, which can be considerable when you are tracking down a specific item, say, purple rain boots in a girl’s size 2 or a one-cup coffee maker for your grandson’s dorm. Indeed, one of the best aspects of online shopping is the sheer selection. Not only that, but many online retailers also allow customers to create wish lists they can share with others. To be certain your granddaughter will use the backpack you order, ask her to share her wish list first.

3. Save money.

It’s also easy to compare prices online, especially if you use an online price tracker like PriceBlink.com or Amazon’s PriceJump, which pop up on your computer screen with price alerts. And don’t forget to read through customer reviews. These honest opinions from fellow shoppers can give you a good sense of a product’s pros and cons before you put any money down.

4. Hassle-free package delivery.

One more bonus is the hassle-free way you can send gifts to your family. Instead of mailing packages to your kids or grandkids, online retailers can ship back-to-school supplies or other presents directly to their front door.

Before you get too carried away with online shopping, it’s important to take note of a few caveats to ensure a positive experience.

1. Be alert and aware.

When shopping online, be alert to the possibility of online fraud or shopping scams (check out these tips, so you will know which sites to avoid).

2. Check the policies.

When it comes to shipping, policies are all over the map, so fully read the fine print before placing an order. Sometimes you must pay shipping fees, other times the online retailer pays if your order is over a certain amount. With an Amazon Prime membership ($99/year and now with discounted options for low-income families), most of your orders will be delivered free of charge (and, for the most part, you’ll receive them within 48 hours).

3. Consider the items.

Buying clothes online is tricky because you can’t try clothing on before purchasing. Unless you know exactly what size, brand and color to buy or you’re certain the retailer will pay shipping fees for returns, it can be safer to buy clothes in traditional stores.

Although the benefits of online shopping outweigh the drawbacks, this mode of shopping does eliminate the in-person contact that traditional retailers offer. If you love the experience of face-to-face or in-person shopping but don’t drive anymore, there are a couple of options for you too:

1. Explore alternative transportation options.

Public transportation, ride-sharing or going on an outing with a friend or loved one can get you safely to and from your favorite stores.

2. Consider senior living.

Senior living communities often offer their own transportation programs based on residents’ interests and needs. Activities like shopping, doctors’ visits and recreational events can now be easy to attend with the retirement community’s bus.

Senior living communities can do more for you than make back-to-school shopping easier. They offer a hassle-free, independent retirement living option so you can continue to make the most of your retirement years. If you’re interested in learning more about a Holiday Retirement community near you, start by getting in touch with us.